3 moccasins so far this year, 1911 with shotshells keeps them under control.
3 moccasins so far this year, 1911 with shotshells keeps them under control.
Ryan, I believe you are correct. I kinda jumped quickly on the ID of that snake. Since we don't have the cottonmouth's here,, I don't get to see many juvies,, and had forgotten about the differences in pattern. Most of my cottonmouth handling was when I'd visit Florida, and Texas.
My mistake.
I've only seen two cottonmouths this close to the house, and they were both young so I thought they were copperheads. It was only after they were dead and I got a closer look that I realized they were cottonmouths.
Normally what I see around here are these guys. I caught these two having date night in my driveway a while back.
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Years ago while coming in from my blind I found a small rattler, about 12" long. Shot it twice with my 20 ga. May have missed on first shot, wasn't paying attention. Sons ask why did you shoot it twice dad? Daughter told them "he wanted to make sure it was dead". She was right, bright girl. Last thing I needed to do was run into it or an older sibling an hour before sunrise in a blind.
Neighbor shot 2 by the pool this afternoon with his fortay. They come from the wet area towards my house, his pool gets in the way. I tend to have more black snakes, and very rarely a green tree snake.
We have no dangerous snakes in my AO. When I travel to areas where they exist it is kind of fun to see them. Would not be happy about sharing my garage or yard with them though.
Opened the roller door to get to my tractor yesterday morning and found a 3 foot Western diamondback. Rock bar took care of him. First time one got inside.
Same here for the most part. Although if it startles me and looks like a moccasin it dies!
Accidently killed a few olive colored water snakes because at first glance they looked like a moccasin, and they were near where my daughter plays. Chicken snakes have startled me but I let them go since I could immediately ID them and they were pretty chill, and help keep the rodent population under control. Had a bad problem with pack rats chewing wires causing damage (a vehicle electrical system beyond repair for one)
Around here the moccasins are very aggressive and will come after you most of the time vs. retreat.
Was rather proud of myself several years ago though. Was on the phone with my neighbor while walking to my hog trap, had a moccasin come out of a mudhole towards me. Pulled the 1911 and shot and hit 6 times before I realized it. Neighbor asked what it was I told him Moccasin. He said "how many times did you hit it?" I said "how many times did I shoot?" He said "6" I said "musta hit each time cause he's in 7 pieces!"
Yeah, they're scary aggressive.
They'll also try to eat fish still on your line. I've had them swallow a fish that was on a stringer in the water. Had to toss the whole stringer. Had 'em drop out of trees into the boat.
Nasty little suckers.
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I whacked it with a cane pole till I broke its back and flipped it back in the water.
I like snakes, and regularly pick up the snakes I find in the pasture, but with cottonmouths, I'm not playing around.
In my opinion, you can be dangerous, or you can be an *******, but you can't be both. Cottonmouths are both, so I have a very low tolerance for them in my space. People who are both I can avoid, but cottonmouths won't take a hint.
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Snakeshot from a handgun usually doesn't hurt an aluminum boat
I do them the same way as gators that get too close to the boat or my yo-yo's, whack it with a boat paddle!
and yes, I have pulled up a boat next to a gator and whacked it with a boat paddle. Darn gator kept going for my yo-yo's whenever they went off and getting my fish. A few whacks with the paddle and he started going the other way when the yo-yo's went off
suppressed 22 pistol comes in handy when fishing. Lost my fish, but the snake will never get over it. I usually keep it or my 410 pistol in the boat with me. If I see em on a log or tree I shoot them. the 22 is quiet enough that the wardens don't hear and come investigate
Lived in AZ for several years and cruised timber in AZ and Utah. Never saw a snake but I'm sure a few saw me. I won't kill one unless it's a danger much like turtles. I hate to run over a turtle even a snapper
I Am Descended From Men Who Would Not Be Ruled
Fiat Justitia, Ruat Caelum
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |